Hong Kong's leader Leung Chun-ying has formally requested Beijing to allow electoral reforms, stopping short of recommending specific changes ahead of an election for the territory's next chief executive in 2017.

Mr Leung's report to the standing committee of the National People's Congress - China's parliament - comes amid increasing tension between Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists and Beijing over the pace of political reform in the former British territory.

It follows a five-month consultation on democracy in the former British colony that drew nearly 125,000 public submissions.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with wide-ranging autonomy under the formula "one country, two systems".

The report marks one of the most significant steps yet in Hong Kong's political journey - an experiment with democracy in communist-controlled China.

"Implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive's election will be an important milestone of the democratic development of Hong Kong's political system, with significant real impact and historic meaning," the report says.

The reports also appears to reflect a key concern of the leadership in Beijing, saying Hong Kong people believe their next leader needs to be "a person who loves the country and loves Hong Kong".

Pro-democracy activists call for open nominations

Pro-democracy activists say Beijing is failing to make good on its promise of universal suffrage, while Beijing feels Hong Kong is pushing too far.

The report comes at a time of tense political debate in Hong Kong, after hundred of thousands of people demonstrated on July 1 to demand full democracy.

More than 800,000 people also voted in June in an unofficial referendum on possible election models.

A campaign of choreographed civil disobedience also threatens to paralyse Hong Kong's central financial district unless Beijing's allows full democracy.

The intensifying debate is split between Beijing officials and their local supporters, who are insisting upon a special committee to select candidates, and democratic activists who want open nominations.

Mr Leung's report says "mainstream opinion" is that the Basic Law - Hong Kong's mini-constitution drawn up by China and Britain - already makes clear the power to nominate must remain with the committee.

The standing committee of the National People's Congress is due to rule on the need for reform in August after which Hong Kong people will be asked to comment on a range of options.